John Garcia, 47, a karate instructor at the Sarasota charter school, was arrested last week after a girl told authorities he had sex with her in a classroom seven years ago, when she was 14.

Garcia, of the 2800 block of Poplar Street, was charged last week with custodial sexual battery on a child.

Since those charges surfaced, three more girls — aged 12 and 13 — have come forward to report past sexual abuse by Garcia, the Sheriff's Office said Friday. Garcia, who has been suspended from his job, now faces charges of lewd and lascivious sexual battery, according to a press release. He remains in jail without bail.

<p><em>SARASOTA</em> - More sex charges have been filed against a Sarasota School of Arts and Sciences teacher after three more girls came forward to say he abused them in 2005 and 2006.</p><p>John Garcia, 47, a karate instructor at the Sarasota charter school, was arrested last week after a girl told authorities he had sex with her in a classroom seven years ago, when she was 14.</p><p>Garcia, of the 2800 block of Poplar Street, was charged last week with custodial sexual battery on a child.</p><p>Since those charges surfaced, three more girls — aged 12 and 13 — have come forward to report past sexual abuse by Garcia, the Sheriff's Office said Friday. Garcia, who has been suspended from his job, now faces charges of lewd and lascivious sexual battery, according to a press release. He remains in jail without bail.</p>